Lecture: MASONRY- Part 1

Masonry means construction of buildings using building blocks like stone, bricks, concrete blocks etc. Masonry is used for the
construction of foundation, plinth, walls and columns.

CHB MASONRY

Concrete Hollow Blocks- commonly known as CHB is made from Portland cement, water, and mineral aggregates with or without the
inclusion of other materials. It maybe rectangular or segmented and when specified shall have a shape to provide interlock at vertical
joints.

Two Kinds:

1. Load Bearing Block- a hollow block capable of carrying super-imposed load which is used in exterior wall below grade and for
unplastered exterior wall above grade that maybe exposed to weather.
2. Non-Bearing Block- a concrete hollow block not capable of carrying super imposed load. For general use for partition.

Parts of a CHB

Arrangement of Masonry Unit

Advantages and Disadvantages:

Why use CHB Walls?

 Strong and Durable

 Fire-Resistant and Non-Combustible
 Weather Resistant
 Cheap
 Availability

Disadvantages:

 Labor intensive
 Complex installation process

Common sizes:

In the Philippines, Concrete Hollow Blocks usually comes in 4” and 6” thickness.

STONE MASONRY

Types of Stone Masonry

1. Rubble Masonry: In this type of constructions stones of irregular sizes and shapes are used to remove sharp shapes. They
may be hammered. The rubble masonry may be coursed or uncoursed . In uncoursed rubble masonry the wall is brought to
level at every 300 mm to 500 mm. The mortar consumed in these construction is more. Course rubble masonry is used for the
construction of public and residential buildings. Uncoursed rubble masonry is used for the construction of foundations,
compound walls, garages, labour quarters etc. A skilled mason may arrange the facing stones in polygonal shapes to improve
the aesthetic of the wall.
2. Ashlar Masonry: In this type of masonry stones are dressed to get suitable shapes and sizes. The height of the stones varies
from 250 mm to 300 mm. The length should not exceed three times the height. The dressing of the stone need not be very
accurate on all sides. Usually good dressing is made on facing side. In such construction mortar consumption is less
compared to rubble masonry.

BRICK MASONRY

Brick masonry is built with bricks bonded together with mortar. For temporary sheds mud mortar may be used but for all permanent
buildings lime or cement mortars are used.

Types of Bonds used in Brick Masonry

1. Stretcher Bond- A stretcher is the longer face of the brick as seen in the elevation. In the brick of size 190 mm × 90 mm × 90
mm, 190 mm × 90 mm face is the stretcher. In stretcher bond masonry all the bricks are arranged in stretcher courses.
However care should be taken to break vertical joints. This type of construction is useful for the construction half brick thick
partition wall.
2. Header Bond: A header is the shorter face of the brick as seen in the elevation. In a standard brick it is 90 mm × 90 mm face.
In header bond brick masonry all the bricks are arranged in the header courses This type of bond is useful for the construction
of one brick thick walls.
3. English Bond: In this alternate courses consist of headers and stretchers. This is considered to be the strongest bond. Hence
it is commonly used bond for the walls of all thicknesses. To break continuity of vertical joints a brick is cut lengthwise into two
halves and used in the beginning and end of a wall after first header. This is called queen closer.
4. Flemish Bond: In this type of bond each course comprises of alternate header and stretcher. Alternate courses start with
stretcher and header. To break the vertical joints queen closers are required, if a course starts with header. Every header is
centrally supported on the stretcher below it.

Flemish bonds may be further classified as

(a) Double Flemish Bond- In case of double flemish both faces of the wall have flemish look, i.e. each course consist of alternate
header and stretcher,

(b) Single Flemish Bond- single flemish bond outer faces of walls have flemish look whereas inner faces have look of English bond

Construction of flemish bond needs greater skill. It gives more pleasing appearance. But it is not as strong as English bond. If only
pointing is to be used for finished wall, flemish bond may be used to get good aesthetic view. If plastering is going to be used, it is
better to use English bond.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF BRICK MASONRY OVER STONE MASONRY

Advantages:

1. Since shape and size of bricks are uniform, it do not need skilled labour for the construction
2. Bricks are light in weight and hence handling them is easy.
3. Bricks are easily available around cities and their transportation cost is less because their weight is less. Stones are to be brought
from quarries which are located only at few places.
4. It is possible to use all types of mortar in brick masonry. For unimportant buildings even mud mortar can be used.
5. Thinner walls can be constructed with bricks but it is not so with stones.
6. It is easy to form openings for doors and windows.
7. Dead load of brick masonry is less.
8. In brick masonry mortar joints are thin and hence construction cost is reduced considerably.
 9. Brick masonry has better fire and weather resistance compared to stone masonry.

Disadvantages:

1. Strength of brick masonry is less than that of stone masonry.

2. Durability of brick masonry is less.
3. Brick masonry needs plastering and plastered surface needs colour washing. Stone masonry don’t need them and hence
maintenance cost is more in brick masonry.
4. Brick masonry absorbs water and there are possibility of dampness. There is no such problem in stone masonry.
5. More architectural effects can be given in stone masonry compared to that in brick masonry.
6. Stone masonry gives massive appearance and hence monumental buildings are built in stone masonry.

CEMENT MORTAR
Cement mortar is a mixture of cement, sand, and water. It is used as bonding materials in installing masonry blocks and other
various plastering works.

This can be used in the ff:

1. used in between layer of CHB
2. used as filler for the hollow core or cell of the blocks. The filler could be pure mortar or mortar with gravel for economy.
3. For plastering